WASHINGTON — A Texas man pleaded guilty today to assaulting law enforcement resulting in bodily injury related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
According to court documents, Donald Hazard, 44, of Hurst, Texas and Lucas Denney were the Sergeant-at-Arms and President of the Patriot Boys of North Texas, a self-described militia. Prior to January 6, 2021, Hazard and Denney gathered protective gear and other supplies in anticipation of traveling to Washington, D.C. Hazard himself acquired a military-style helmet, knuckle gloves, goggles, and body armor.
On January 6, Hazard was filmed marching in Washington D.C. by a newspaper photographer. In that video, Hazard stated “Make sure you get my face and everything on your news channel. I want the enemy to know exactly who is coming after them.”
On Jan. 6, by approximately 2:00 p.m., Hazard was positioned under scaffolding that had been erected over the stairs on the northwest side of the U.S. Capitol building. As Hazard and other rioters attempted to climb the steps, they encountered United States Capitol Police (“USCP”) officers. Officer T.S. engaged with Hazard in order to force Hazard back; Hazard grabbed Officer T.S. as Hazard fell and continued to fight with Officer T.S. has the two fell down the stairs. Officer T.S. hit his head and was knocked unconscious. He also sustained injuries to his head, foot, and arm, some of which required surgery.
At another point on January 6, Hazard and Denney advanced towards a line of police officers on the west side of the Capitol. Each had an arm raised and was holding a cannister of pepper spray. At approximately 2:56 p.m. Hazard entered the Capitol building via the Parliamentarian door and remained inside for approximately five minutes. Hazard also posted selfie-style videos, filmed inside and outside of the Capitol building, in which he made statements such as “We’re here at the nation’s capitol and we’re storming it. We’re taking the Capitol. . . This is America baby.”
Hazard was arrested on December 13, 2021. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 19, 2023.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
The case is being investigated by the Fort Worth Resident Agency of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office, along with the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Hazard as #267 in its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Hurst, Texas, Police Department, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Capitol Police.
In the 25 months since Jan. 6, more than 985 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including approximately 319 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
